Qahwaji Says Army Prepared for 'All Scenarios' in Spring

Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji declared on Friday that the military will remain prepared to face the threat of extremists along Lebanon's eastern mountain range.

He said before a delegation from the Editors Syndicate: “The army is prepared for all scenarios in the spring season.”

He made his remarks in reference to media reports earlier this week that said that the Islamic State of Syria and the Levant fighters are moving “from eastern al-Qalamoun to its west” in preparation for a battle in the area in the spring after the snow melts.

“We have weighed all possibilities and we cannot allow the gunmen to know our plans,” continued Qahwaji.

“The army will persevere and it has been successful in its operations,” he stressed.

The soldiers have endured harsh winter weather conditions and they will remain firm in their positions, he added.

The army commander also denied claims of defections in the military, saying that sectarianism does not have a role within its ranks.

The Lebanese army frequently clashes with jihadist militants in their hideouts near the Syria border in the eastern mountain range.

The Islamic State, which controls several areas in Syria and Iraq, aims to spread to Lebanon as its fighters position in the outskirts of Bekaa towns bordering Syria.

M.T.